Whether a Code of Conduct on the South China Sea being eyed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) with China would stick or not, having one would be better for all claimant-countries. Japan is similarly in a dispute with China and Taiwan over…
In this undated file photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a Chinese H-6K bomber patrols the islands and reefs in the South China Sea. A US think tank says recent images appear to show that China has installed anti-aircraft and anti-missile weapons on its man-made islands in the South China Sea. The Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a report this week that the anti-aircraft guns and a close-in weapons systems designed to guard against missile attack have been placed on all seven of the islands that China has created by piling sand on top of coral reefs. (Photo by LIU RUI/Xinhua via AP)
TOKYO, Japan — Whether a Code of Conduct on the South China Sea being eyed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) with China would stick or not, having one would be better for all claimant-countries.
Japan is similarly in a dispute with China and Taiwan over territory in the East China Sea and officials here urged the Philippines, which won last year a favorable arbitral ruling from the international court of justice in The Hague, to follow their example in avoiding conflict.
According to an expert on international relations at the University of Tokyo, while distrust is high for China among Southeast Asian countries, it is still better to have an existing Code of Conduct in the disputed territory.
Wher it would have any effect, Takahara Akio said, “Hopefully.”
The Philippines as chairman of the Asean in 2017 vowed to push for completing with China a Code of Conduct and have at least a framework on the South China Sea within the year.
In citing the distrust of China by most Southeast Asian countries, Takahara explained, “They (China) signed an agreement in July (last year) after The Hague ruling with Southeast Asian nations that they will not construct islands. That’s what they said, that’s what they signed but whether they can implement the agreement, no Southeast Asian nation will believe the word of the Chinese now.”
The University of Tokyo professor further said, “The Chinese have said always many nice words but implementation is different. In three or four years time, if they can implement or not depends on many things including Southeast Asian solidarity, US (United States) policy.”
On the Philippines actions toward China, Takahara told the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Duterte administration’s dealings with China pertaining to the territorial dispute on the South China Sea has been on the right track.
“I think it’s right for President Duterte to make good use of China’s economic rise. I think that’s what we all do. I think it’s right of President Duterte to say to Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe that he takes international law seriously,” he said.
